BlackBerry Storm2 Available Wednesday
The new Storm features BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0, which lets users set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote files (Windows Shares), forward appointments and view calendar attachments.
Thanks to Blackberry OS 5.0, the Web browser also has faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry widgets, according to the company. Another improvement is better typing accuracy as well as usability and visual upgrades that include inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation.
The BlackBerry Storm2 sports a 3.25-inch high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi and has a capacitive touch screen with integrated functions. The device also supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g); 256 MB of flash memory; and 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot with a 16-GB card included.
Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization (IS), flash and video recording; Bluetooth (v2.1); a built-in GPS for maps and other location-based apps as well as photo geo-tagging; preloaded Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator; V Cast Music with Rhapsody; and a removable, rechargeable 1,400 mAhr battery that provides up to 5.5 hours of talk time or up to 11.2 days of standby time.
There's also a media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry Media Sync, for syncing Windows.
In addition, via Verizon Wireless' 3G and global connectivity, users can call 220 countries and access data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G).
You can get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone on Oct. 28 for $179.99 -- that's after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year Verizon customer agreement on a voice plan with an e-mail and Web feature, or an e-mail and Web for BlackBerry plan. Data plans for the BlackBerry Storm2 begin at $29.99 when added to any Verizon nationwide voice plan.
Verizon said customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card, which can be used as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.